Rodriguez homers in minor league game

TRENTON, N.J., Aug. 3 (UPI) -- New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez homered during a minor league game Friday amid persistent reports he faces a lengthy major league suspension.

Rodriguez, trying to recover from hip surgery, played for Class AA Trenton Friday in what turned out to be a 6-2 win over Reading.

Various reports have said Major League Baseball is considering suspending Rodriguez for life due to his allegedly obtaining performance-enhancing drugs from Biogenesis of America. Other reports have said MLB and Rodriguez are attempting to come to an agreement that would allow Rodriguez to play again after a suspension that could extend up to and beyond 100 games.

Rodriguez walked in the first inning, hit his home run in the third and then struck out in the fifth before coming out of the contest.

If Rodriguez is eligible to play, he could rejoin the Yankees as early as next Monday.

"I can't wait to see my (New York) teammates," Rodriguez said after Friday's game. "I feel like I can help them. I feel like I can help them be a better team for sure."